The Opening Kickoff (Part I): Gators LB Jeremiah Moon, 5 Questions

Gators sixth-year senior Jeremiah Moon eyes Alabama's offensive line in a 31-29 loss to the Crimson Tide last weekend. (Photo: Anissa Dimilta/UAA Communications)

The Opening Kickoff (Part I): Gators LB Jeremiah Moon, 5 Questions

Wednesday, September 22, 2021 | Football, Scott Carter

By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — For those who thought he was finished or perhaps recall him accepting an invitation to the Senior Bowl last year, Jeremiah Moon hasn't gone anywhere.

No. 7 on Florida's defense is back for year No. 6.

The oft-injured Moon opted to return for a sixth season after an injury forced him to the sideline after just four games a season ago. Instead of pursuing a spot on an NFL roster, the 6-foot-2, 245-pound Moon is playing a new position as the first UF player to appear in a game in six different seasons thanks to the option to return due to the coronavirus pandemic's impact on the 2020 season.

"It's been a long road,'' Moon said this week as the No. 11-ranked Gators (2-1, 0-1) prepare to host Tennessee (2-1) on Saturday night. "I'm happy things are starting to pay off."

Jeremiah Moon has been a nice surprise this year pic.twitter.com/YRAGN7J0nr
— Charlie Parker (@cmparker999) September 19, 2021

An outside linebacker who has played primarily as an edge rusher during his career, Moon has moved inside to help fill the void created by the loss of starting middle linebacker Ventrell Miller. In Florida's win at USF on Sept. 11, Miller suffered a season-ending arm injury that required surgery.

Meanwhile, Moon ranks second on the team in tackles (16) behind fellow linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (18), and has added a sack and pass breakup.

When Moon arrived at UF from Hoover (Ala.) High in 2016, he never expected to still be playing college football in the fall of 2021. But that's where he is and based on what he has done through three games, Moon is playing some of his best football.

Here is a Q&A with Moon, who some of his teammates call "old man" or "grandpa."

GATORS LINEBACKER JEREMIAH MOON, 5 QUESTIONS

Q: What went into the move to middle linebacker?

A: Honestly, it's been a big transition. I didn't really know what was going to come with it. I just knew that I needed to step in and fill a role. I just took it day by day. In the spring I was out, so I sat in the inside linebackers room. Knowing that I knew everything about the outside linebacker position, so I sat in with Coach, just met with him throughout the spring, offseason and just tried to progress through the basics of inside linebacker because I hadn't done it in a while.

Q: Considering Ventrell's injury, how important has the move been?

A: First off, you can't replace a Ventrell Miller. His leadership, the way he handles himself, he is the ultimate leader for this team. Two, I'm just learning so much from Ventrell as far as being vocal and just the way he plays the game. I'm just thankful for Ventrell.

Q: How did the defense pull together against Alabama after falling behind 21-3 in the first quarter?

A: We have a group of guys that, when it gets tough, we try not to point fingers. We are brothers. We want to take criticism, listen to whatever adjustments Coach C-Rob [Christian Robinson] and Coach Grantham, or any coach, whatever coach tells us, we're going to just attack the game plan. Ain't no sense in pointing fingers. That's not going to help anything. So, I think just as having that chemistry really helps.

Q: What was it like to play in front of that crowd on Saturday?

A: That was definitely No. 1 for me. I say my second one would be when Auburn came and that was crazy in itself. Just the atmosphere, the energy, the stadium was literally shaking. I was yelling out calls and I couldn't even hear myself. That's how crazy it was. So, Gator Nation really brought it and we got another one this week with Tennessee, so I'm hoping that we get the same result.

Q: What does that crowd noise do for the defense?

A: It definitely energizes. We try to get the fans involved, trying to pump the crowd up with the music and everything, so they are definitely a big part of how we play, obviously. I know y'all have been in the stadium before and you know what it's like to be out there when the stadium is going crazy, so it's definitely an energizer.